Omicron mutation: “Maybe it’s the beginning of the evolution to a more common virus”

In the statement that the Omicron mutation of coronavirus “Maybe it’s the beginning of the evolution towards a more common virus,” said the head of the vaccination program at France, Allen Fisher.

Allen Fisher told BFMTV that he was in favor of giving a booster dose to people under the age of 18, adding that a decision on a fourth dose would be made in February or March, when sufficient scientific evidence had been gathered. ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ.

Coronavirus – France: Students return to schools today as lawmakers consider new vaccine bill

Students in France returned to school today, Monday (3/1) despite the challenges posed by the Omicron variant strain, amid the risk of infection with covid-19, the suspension of departments due to cases and the possible many absences of teachers.

At the same time, MPs are beginning to consider the bill on conversion of a health pass into a vaccine pass for all French people over the age of 12, with the bill looking certain that it will be adopted, despite the reaction of some parties. In recent days, the number of daily cases in France has repeatedly exceeded the limit of 200,000, despite the fact that 90% of the country’s population over the age of 12 is vaccinated.

To tackle the spread of covid-19 due to the Omicron strain, the government wants to increase pressure on the approximately five million French people who remain unvaccinated by barring them from accessing all kinds of entertainment, restaurants, bars, cinemas and centers. aesthetics, even in long-distance transport. In addition, prefectures will be able to deny access to large stores or shopping malls to those who do not have this passport.

The bill, which is expected to enter into force on January 15, “proposes science” and “responsibility”, the French Minister of Health stressed. Olivier Veran. From February 15, in order for someone to be considered fully vaccinated should have taken a booster dose of covid-19 vaccine four months, and no more than seven months after the second dose. One infection is equivalent to one dose.

Despite their objections, most Les Republicains MPs as well as Socialists are expected to vote “in principle” in favor of the bill. The far left, the communists and the far right of Lepen are expected to vote against it. However, the bill seems to be adopted. The tension around it remains acute, with many MEPs complain that they have received threats not to vote for it.

At the same time, the bill provides for the tightening of penalties. Whoever is arrested with a fake certificate will risk being sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros.

The protocol in the schools of France

As far as schools are concerned, the Ministry of Education announced that the rule that will remain in force a department closes for 7 days if three cases are detected in it, but added that the policy of tracking contacts would be strengthened: if a case of covid-19 is detected in a class, students will undergo three diagnostic tests over a period of four days.

As most students under the age of 12 have not been vaccinated against covid-19, primary school teachers’ unions are calling for to return the department closure policy as soon as the first case is identified, which has ceased to apply as of November 29.

According to the scientific council, “at least” one in three teachers may be affected by covid-19 by the end of January, either because they become infected or because they come in contact with a case and have to be quarantined. However, the easing of quarantine rules for case contacts, announced by the Ministry of Health, is expected to prevent a flood of absences.